The ACS caters for many different levels of industry involvement. Active, Associate, Full and Student are the most common levels of membership. If you wish to join please click on the "Join the ACS link" on the right hand side of this page.
If you need further assistance regarding filling out your membership application or which category you fit, please contact the President in your State via the Contact Us link on the right side of this page.
The use of the ACS letters after a person's name is exclusively reserved for those who have received an Accredited membership.
Accredited
To gain Accreditation a Full Member, of at least three years standing, must submit a representational body of their work to an accreditation sub-committee for appraisal. This specially convened group makes assessments on the standard of lighting, composition, operating and camera movement. Consideration is also given to the cinematic approach in relation to the script and subject matter. This body of work must show more than just professional competence, it must clearly demonstrate creativity and aesthetic innovation.
The Accreditation assessors will require a broad cross section of a member's current work. Entire works only may be submitted as showreels will not be accepted, nor will selectively edited examples of work. The quality of work will be judged on international standards and the assessors will be looking at all technical aspects of the work submitted, and in particular the ability to light. They will also be watching out for what might be described as the `soul', that difficult to describe element which distinguishes the cinematographer's work from just run of the mill craftsmanship.
To receive Accreditation is the highest honour, and it is the intention of the Society to ensure that any cinematographer so honoured, and thus entitled to use the letters ACS after their name, will be capable of performing work of an international standard.
Eligible Full Members wishing to apply for ACS Accreditation should contact their Branch President.
Full
A Full Member is a person who is and has been active as a professional cinematographer in the motion picture or television industry for a period of at least five years and is over the age of twenty-one.
Active
An Active Member is a person who is cinematographer but does not meet the qualifications of full member including (but not limited to) camera operators, focus pullers, clapper loaders, data wranglers.
Life
A Life Member is a full, active or retired member who, due to long and distinguished service to the Society, has been recommended and nominated by an ACS Committee, and then approved at a National General Meeting. A Life Member is not liable for membership fees.
Associate
An Associate Member is a person or sponsor who has or can be invited by an ACS Committee to join the Society.
They could also be involved in other Industry fields such as; Lighting, Grips, Make Up, Production Dept. Post Production, Music, Art Department etc.
Student
A Student Member is a person undertaking a course, recognised by the National Executive, in film and television production techniques or a person gaining work experience with an industry company. There are no joining fees for Student Members.
Honorary
An Honorary Member is a person upon whom honorary membership has been bestowed at the discretion of an ACS committee. An Honorary Member is not liable for joining or membership fees.
Retired
A Retired Member is a member of seven years' standing or more who has been a full or active member and due to age or illness has retired from active participation in cinematography and is no longer employed in any capacity. Approved Retired Members are not liable for membership fees.
Membership Fees
The annual membership fees & joining fees for 2013-2014 are listed below and are inclusive of GST:
- Accredited: $200.00
- Full: $135.00 + Joining Fee $40.00 = $175
- Active: $115.00 + Joining Fee $40.00 = $155
- Associate: $90.00 + Joining Fee $40.00 = $130
- Student: $66.00 - No joining fee for Student members.
- No joining fee for Accredited members as Accreditation can only be gained by applying for accreditation as outlined in the Accreditation section above.
- The membership year is from July 1 to June 30. If you join between now and June 30 2013 your membership will carry through to June 30 2014.
Special Dispensation
If a member of any category is undergoing financial hardship they can apply to have their relevant fee downgraded until their financial position changes. They will lose none of their membership benefits. Each case is dealt with on an individual basis and must be approved by the National Executive.
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